Hitting the net is the best way to win their hearts but he insists no Celtic player can ever sit back and relax.

Ciftci said: “There is the pressure you put on yourself. There is always pressure at this club.

“That will never go away on a Saturday or for a European game. The pressure will never ease off. You have to just deal with it and be able to give everything you have. You can’t do more than that.

“I feel that love every time. Even coming on, the fans have always been good to me. They always expect high things from every player no matter how much they play, that is how it is.

“It is a big club so you need to deal with that. Hopefully I have given them a lot today. I am very pleased. We got three points, that was very important. After the tough game on Thursday, travelling and the heavy pitch it was a great team performance and a great three points.

“It is always good to get goals but, like I say, it is all about the team, all about getting points.

“I am lucky to be on the end of the two goals but if I didn’t have my team-mates I wouldn’t be on them. It was a good game.”

Ciftci has started back-to-back matches for the first time but admitted he’ll need to be at his best with Leigh Griffiths and now Carlton Cole breathing down his neck.

Griffiths has missed the last couple of games with a calf injury but is close to a return.

Cole is building his fitness after a spell on the sidelines and it won’t be long before he’s banging on the door.

Ciftci’s hoping to keep hold of the jersey and was delighted to boost his case in Perth.

He said: “If you want to be a great player there will always be competition. If you want to make steps at a big club like Celtic you won’t be the only player in one position. There will always be a lot of players competing for a place and everybody will fight for it.

“Everybody wants an opportunity, not just me. Every player who comes on the pitch wants a chance and when he gets it he needs to show the same things the gaffer asks him no matter what position he plays.

“Hopefully I have done that today and I will hopefully do that whenever I get the chance.”

Ciftci was happy to hit the net with a little help from his friends and he insisted the Celtic squad came together to rally round Emilio Izaguirre.

Boss Deila gave him the option to sit out against St Johnstone but Izaguirre was determined to pay tribute to his friend with a superb performance and a message of support on his T-shirt under his jersey.

Emilio Izaguirre pays his respects to late friend Arnold Peralta during the minute's applause at McDiarmid Park (Image: SNS Group)

Ciftci admitted it was a troubling time for Izaguirre and he revealed the Hoops players did their bit to support their grief-stricken team-mate.

The former NAC Breda man said: “It is always sad to lose a very good friend and team-mate. We all tried to cheer him up a bit and as you could see today he was concentrated and played a very good game.

“I think the whole team did. It is not easy but he dealt with it professionally and he did very well.

“It is all about professionalism – and what happens outside football in our private life is different to when you are on the pitch and delivering. And he has done very well.”

Ciftci didn’t do badly himself and his manager was quietly thrilled to see the striker get back on the goal trail.

Deila doesn’t exactly have an abundance of attackers to pick from and he admitted there’s been an over-reliance on Griffiths this term.

Ciftci is up and running though and Deila said: “You have to play to score. Leigh has been unbelievable this season with the goals he’s scored and you don’t take away a goalscorer.

“Carlton is coming too and I’m so happy for Nadir. He’s had two games in a row and we know he can bring things to the team.

“He scored two goals and today he was strong. That makes it better for everybody that we don’t need to rely on Leigh for everything.”